Page 19 of The Devil's Detail
Kasey is guffawing with laughter while his female assistant swoons at my story. My mind is liquifying by the second. I think the man walks on water.
“I wish that would happen to me,” she states, looking longingly at Kasey. He doesn’t even notice.
“Baby girl, it was on my bucket list for years, and now check and mate.” I wave my hands in the air with a flourish, like I’m ticking off items on the world’s biggest list.
As I shimmy around my suite, I feel lighter, calmer. I’ve met Ash, who was apparently the ‘stalker’ I kept picking up on.
To his credit, Ash apologised for scaring me. Of course I accepted. Not his fault he’s… noticeable. He’s another gorgeousguy, very easy on the eyes. But nobody can hold a candle to Jackson.
That man… Brown eyes that seem to be able to read me like a book. Mellow energy that’s a balm to my soul. I’m obviously smitten beyond rational thought, and I don’t know how to handle it.
So… I’m over the top, as usual.
“Here he is. The man of the hour.” I cross my hands theatrically over my heart as he comes into the room with Ash. They both look so serious. Well, damn, this might not be good. My diva side jumps to my rescue, going overboard on the theatrics to cover the anxiety of what they might say or do. “You’re not leaving me already, are you, sugar?” I turn to Kasey in mock horror.
Jackson just shakes his head as if I haven’t said a word. He looks frustrated, and I hope it’s not with me.
“No, but Gary is on TV.” He picks up the remote and switches the big screen on. “Says he’s suing you for assault.”
Gary’s gormless face is in front of me, and I scowl at the offending image. Nope. Not doing this again.
I stand up and snatch the remote back, turning it off.
“Whatever. He’s lying. I never touched him,” I state confidently. I would have liked to. Would have loved to smash his face in. But I don’t think anyone is a mind reader, so I can’t be dragged into court for that.
“He’s claiming he was trampled in the stampede that you caused. Showing off his bruises. Oh, and fashion checking NHS staff on their outfits.” Jackson smirks. “I reckon we can get him to back off, but he wants access to you, Carter.”
“No fuckin’ way. What does he want, a fuckin’ tea party?” I’m steaming now, because this is beyond a joke.
“He wants you to drop the legal action to stop him being near you. If you do that, he’ll not take it further.”
I shrug. “Nope, not gonna happen. I want him as far away from me as possible.”
“Well, we can keep him away. And to be honest, now all your old security have gone, nobody will be tipping him off.”
I look down at that. I might have told a couple of the guys they could stay on. And I might not have told Jackson about that. But they begged, and I caved.
Jackson goes really still. It’s a look I’ve seen before. “What don’t I know, Carter?”
Fuck.He can read me so well.
“I’m heading out, Carter,” Kasey says as he stands and comes over to me. Traitor. He’s taking his entourage and leaving. And honestly, when I think about it, I’m not sure if I’m happy about that or not. I distract myself with air kisses and lots of enthusiastic waving, giving myself a little time and space to prepare for what’s coming. Because as I come back into the lounge, I know I’m in for it.
Jackson points at the sofa.
“So domineering,” I coo as I sashay over, hoping to distract and defuse the current tension in the room. “I’ll bet the ladies love that.” I grin at Ash, but he doesn’t smile back. Well, fuck. These two are not going to be fun.
The eyebrow—it’s an interrogation technique all on its own. It’s also my barometer to how pissed off Jackson is. One up and it’s mild. Two and it’soh, fucktime. I sit obediently on the sofa.
“Well?” His voice is mild, but both eyebrows are up.Hell.
“I might have agreed to one or two of the old team staying in play.”
Jackson draws in a breath as Ash shakes his head.
But all he asks is, “Why?”
I start to ramble. “They asked, and I know they’re good guys. They were with me before that outfit, and I like them, they makeme laugh.” I’m shrugging so much it must look like I’m doing shoulder exercises.
